BEAUTY Skin-care for men this Fathers’ Day

Dads everywhere love a little pampering


Beauty
Maggie Gibbons

In case you managed to miss the slew of ads, it’s Fathers’ Day this Sunday, June 16. As you know I’m not a fan of over-commercialised ‘Days’, but because the men are often forgotten when it comes to skin care, I’ve decided this week to totally focus on the male of the species!
If you think ‘men’ and ‘skin care’ are mutually exclusive terms, think again. It would probably have been an alien concept ten years ago, but today more and more men are realising the importance of a good skin care routine. The market is flooded with products, though still not nearly as many as are out there for women. Here is a few ideas on skin care treats you could give your dad (or give to your kids, to give to your husband!) this Sunday.  

Cleanse
Male skin is generally thicker and oilier, but due to regular shaving, the skin gets dehydrated easily so a bit of extra care is vital. Protecting, improving and cleansing the skin is important, and like women’s skin care, men’s skin care also starts with cleansing.
All cleansers remove dirt, grease and pollutants from the skin and help to prevent pore clogging. The only thing to consider is whether your dad has dry or oily skin.
Men should avoid using soap on the face – it’s too drying, and can easily cause irritation on shaved skin and under beards.
Dove Men’s Moisturiser Hydrate (around €11) is specially formulated for men’s skin. Easily absorbed, it also contains an SPF15 to protect against harmful UVA rays from the sun. Clinique for Men’s Maximum Hydrator (€33) is an intensive moisturiser that is perfect for dried-out, flaky skin – and it also great to use on freshly shaved skin.

Moisturise
The next step – moisturising – might be second nature to us ladies, but for many men, it’s as familiar as a foreign planet. Still, once they start, they’ll realise the benefits. Vichy Homme Hydra Mag C moisturiser (around €17.50) is the first 2-in-1 anti-fatigue moisturiser for men’s faces and eyes. It’s designed to tone the skin and reduce puffiness and dark circles for men with sensitive skin and experiencing signs of fatigue, like dehydrated skin and dull complexion.
Shiseido Active Energising Concentrate (a little more pricey at €67) instantly provides firmness, resilience and an energised look. Formulated with highly effective ingredients, this multi-action treatment corrects the appearance of damaged skin and quickly boosts its strength and vitality. It also reduces dullness and excess oil to create healthy looking skin. Facial contours appear lifted, reshaped, and the appearance of fine lines is minimised.

Heaven scent
Perfume is such an individual taste. Women generally have a more sensitive nose than men, so men should be warned to wear their fragrances sparingly – or risk knocking people out! If you’re buying for your dad, it’s worth investing some time figuring out what fragrance suits him most. Every cologne/eau de toilette smells differently on different people. Just because something smells good on a friend doesn’t mean it will smell good on your dad. Have a rummage around his bathroom and see if you can identify a common theme running through some old bottles, and let that guide you. Musky? Earthy? Ocean fresh?
My top picks include some old classics as well as some brand new contenders. My absolute favourite right now is James Bond Ocean Royale (€29 for 30ml). Smells divine, and your dad will be chuffed you think of him as an action hero. Yves Saint Laurent’s La Nuit de L’Homme Frozen cologne (€52) is a sexy scent for the self-assured male. But beware, your mum might not thank you: He’ll have the women flocking to him…   
Most importantly, check out what’s available in your local pharmacy for skin products and scents. We need to keep supporting our local shops.

Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.